Device for firing practice against a mobile target

ABSTRACT

A self-propelled vehicle is tied to the top of a pylon by means of a rope which binds it to move along a circular trajectory the center of which is at the top of said pylon. The unmanned vehicle serves as a target for firing practice. Between said pylon and the circular runway on which said vehicle moves on ground, one or more circular rails are provided which are supported by respective rows of posts of which the height is greater the less is the distance from said pylon; the purpose of these rails being for supporting said rope when said vehicle is at rest or starting to move or slowing down to stop.

United States Patent 72] Inventor Michele Tarantula Via della Cafiorelletta 5., Rome, Italy [2 l] Appl. No. 861,830 [22] Filed Sept. 29, 1969 [45] Patented Jan. 11, 1972 [54] DEVICE FOR FIRING PRACTICE AGAINST A MOBILE TARGET 2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 273/1052, 272/31 A [51] Int.Cl F4lj 9/00 [50] Field of Search 273/1052; 272/31, 31 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.0l4,7i8 12/1961 Telzrow 272/31 A (DOT 3,204,952 9/1965 Mitchell, .lr. 272/31 Primary ExaminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Marvin Siskind AttorneyRichards & Geier ABSTRACT: A self-propelled vehicle is tied to the top of a pylon by means ofa rope which binds it to move along a circular trajectory the center of which is at the top of said pylon. The unmanned vehicle serves as a target for firing practice. Between said pylon and the circular runway on which said vehicle moves on ground, one or more circular rails are provided which are supported by respective rows of posts of which the height is greater the less is the distance from said pylon; the purpose of these rails being for supporting said rope when said vehicle is at-rest or starting to move or slowing down to stop.

PATENIEU m1 1 m2 3533312 Fig.3

INVENTOR. 1. TcL/"ani 0211.

'Arvoruuess DEVICE FOR FIRING PRACTICE AGAINST A MOBILE TARGET This invention relates to a device for firing practice and particular for ground-to-ground, ground-to-air, air-to-air and airto-ground firing practice.

The device of this invention mainly comprises a selfpropelled vehicle, particularly a rocket-propelled vehicle which is connected by means of a long rope to a sleeve which is free to rotate about a vertical axis. The vehicle, due to the propelling action of the rocket and to its bound, is compelled to follow circular paths of which the center is at a point along said vertical axis; in particular its path may be on a circular runway made of concrete or settled ground.

The vehicle path will be instead an aerial trajectory if a winged vehicle is used adapted for becoming airborne. This aircraft will also be provided with a propelling charge.

Such ground vehicle or aircraft may be used obviously as a mobile target well suited for firing practice both from ground to air and from other flying aircraft.

The duration of each target practice operation depends upon the amount of propulsive charge; the vehicle may also carry samples of equipment to be subjected to piercing tests such as armor plates and the like.

The invention will be better understood from the following description thereof and from the accompanying drawing on which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the device for target practice of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical plan view of the same device of FIG. 1 equipped with a ground target vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a sketching plan view of an air target vehicle.

With reference to the drawings the device of this invention comprises a sturdy vertical mast 1 made of tubular steel, the height of which may vary from 25 to 30 meters and the diameter from 50 to 60 cm.; said mast being retained at its base in a concrete block 2.

The upper end of mast l terminates with a pin on which a thrust bearing 4 is mounted which is free to rotate about the vertical axis of said mast and pin. To bearing 4 a strong arm is attached for supporting a long and heavy chain 5 at one end thereof; at the other end a rope 6 is attached which is much longer than the chain and terminates with a spring catch 7. To this catch a further length of rope will be connected the length of which will vary according to the requirements of the particular training to be carried out. At the end of this rope opposite to said catch the target vehicle will be connected.

Mast I at a distance below bearing 4 is provided with a strong circular flange coaxial thereto.

Mast l is stayed with a plurality of steel ropes 9 which at one end are attached onto said flange while at the other end are fastened to an anchoring means at the ground level. The anchoring means may comprise a plurality of concrete spiles the top ends of which are connected to one another by a concrete circular ring level with the ground and coaxial with mat I; in which ring a plurality of eyebolts are buried for connecting said ropes to the ground.

A plurality of posts 10 made of tubular steel are set into said concrete ring which posts may be about 6 meters high. The top ends of these posts are connected to one another by means of a circular level rail 11 coaxial to mast 1.

Another rail 12 supported by posts 13 at the height of about 3 meters is provided the circumference of which has a larger diameter than rail 11.

The purpose of rails 11 and 12 is for supporting rope 6. At the base of mast l a sheltered observatory 14 may be provided for accommodating any recording equipment as required.

An underground basement 15 may also be provided as sheltered premises for personnel and stores. I

As shown in FIG. 2, a self-propelled vehicle 16 is connected to rope 6 through a further length of rope and catch 7.

As already mentioned, the self-propelled target may be a rocket-propelled ground vehicle 15 adapted for moving along a ground trajectory or it may be a self-propelled winged target 17 see FIG. 3) adapted for moving along an air trajectory.

e self-propelled vehicle when starting to move under the action of its own propulsive charge will stretch rope 6 and because this rope is bound to the rotatable bearing 4, the target will be compelled to repeatedly perform a series of circular turns at a predetermined height from the ground.

The purpose of chain 5 is for dampening any jerks which may occur when the target starts its motion.

What l claim is:

l. A system for target practice, comprising a vertical mast, a sleeve rotatably mounted upon the top of said mast, a rope, means attaching one end of said rope to said sleeve, a mobile self-propelled target attached to the other end of said rope, said target carrying out a series of turns about said mast at a predetermined speed due to its own propulsion means, and two concentric rails located around said mast at decreasing heights from the mast outwards for supporting said rope until it is lifted from the rails by said target.

2. A target system as per claim I wherein a heavy chain is inserted between said rope and said sleeve for dampening any jerking action occurring when the target starts to move. 

1. A system for target practice, comprising a vertical mast, a sleeve rotatably mounted upon the top of said mast, a rope, means attaching one end of said rope to said sleeve, a mobile selfpropelled target attached to the other end of said rope, said target carrying out a series of turns about said mast at a predetermined speed due to its own propulsion means, and two concentric rails located around said mast at decreasing heights from the mast outwards for supporting said rope until it is lifted from the rails by said target.
 2. A target system as per claim 1 wherein a heavy chain is inserted between said rope and said sleeve for dampening any jerking action occurring when the target starts to move. 